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Old August 17, 2021, 01:39 PM   #1
AmericanFrontier
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How much power can I get out from it?

I have a Philadelphia Deringer in cal 44. The barrel is only 3” long. How much power can I possibly get out from this gun? If I use a heavy load of Triple 7 and a heavy conical, can I get into .38 special territory or more?
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Old August 17, 2021, 03:56 PM   #2
Hawg
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Short answer is no. You wont even get into .380 territory with it. That heavy charge of powder is just going to blow out the muzzle.
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Old August 17, 2021, 07:25 PM   #3
rodwhaincamo
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According to Cumpston and Bates 30 grns of 3F Swiss (slightly more potent than T7) and ball produces 579 FPS for 95 ft/lbs with a .440” ball.

At best a short for caliber bullet like the Lee REAL might work. There’s just not much barrel to work with. I’d venture to guess a REAL might get you to 150 ft/lbs on a very good day, something along the lines of the .38 S&W maybe.
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Old August 17, 2021, 07:34 PM   #4
Hawg
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodwhaincamo View Post
According to Cumpston and Bates 30 grns of 3F Swiss (slightly more potent than T7) and ball produces 579 FPS for 95 ft/lbs with a .440” ball.

At best a short for caliber bullet like the Lee REAL might work. There’s just not much barrel to work with. I’d venture to guess a REAL might get you to 150 ft/lbs on a very good day, something along the lines of the .38 S&W maybe.
Except Lee doesn't make a mold for a .430 or .435 REAL.
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Old August 17, 2021, 09:23 PM   #5
FrankenMauser
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Lee doesn't, but Accurate Molds can.
Several of the suitable designs in the catalog could have band diameters tweaked for REAL type loading.
And if the hollow base is desired, it can be sent off to Erik, at http://www.hollowpointmold.com/.
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Old August 17, 2021, 09:44 PM   #6
rodwhaincamo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawg View Post
Except Lee doesn't make a mold for a .430 or .435 REAL.
That’s a muzzleloader, it uses a .44 cal ball and .45-6cal REALs just like a .50 uses a .517 cal REAL. Am I wrong?

Last edited by rodwhaincamo; August 17, 2021 at 09:49 PM.
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Old August 18, 2021, 02:14 AM   #7
Hawg
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Originally Posted by rodwhaincamo View Post
That’s a muzzleloader, it uses a .44 cal ball and .45-6cal REALs just like a .50 uses a .517 cal REAL. Am I wrong?
It would take a .430 or possibly a .435 ball but the patch for a .435 would be really thin. I would think a .456 REAL would have to be pounded down with a hammer. I know the top band is bigger and the rifling is engraved at loading but .456 sounds pretty big. I would think a .444 or .445 would be a better fit.
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Old August 18, 2021, 03:08 PM   #8
rodwhaincamo
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawg View Post
It would take a .430 or possibly a .435 ball but the patch for a .435 would be really thin. I would think a .456 REAL would have to be pounded down with a hammer. I know the top band is bigger and the rifling is engraved at loading but .456 sounds pretty big. I would think a .444 or .445 would be a better fit.

Are these not .45 cal using a .440” ball as Dixie Gun Works shows for the Pedersoli Philadelphia derringer? Patched shooters always have deep grooves so a .45 may have grooves around .470”. My .50 cal Lyman states should be about .520” and so my .50 cal REALs top bands are .517”.

Just checked Dixie again and it states the bore is .450” x .464” so it would indeed need the .45 cal REAL and likely need a felt wad too.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/...PHIA+DERRINGER
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Old August 18, 2021, 04:31 PM   #9
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OK you win. I thought they were .44 caliber.
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